I Went Back to a High-Level Corporate Job and Regretted It Instantly

What they don’t tell you about corporate jobs/formal employment.

My life was great. I just didn’t know it at the time.

I worked from home, had control over my time, trained daily, woke up whenever I wanted, and spent the day crunching away at the keyboard, scribbling thoughts and releasing them to the ether — something I enjoy immensely.

Then out of nowhere, the itch came. Restlessness started to creep in like nasty flu. I wanted something different.

I’d been “stuck’’ at home for too long, and it felt like the world was cruising past me. I desired to go back to the workforce.

So to scratch the incessant itch, I hopped onto job ads, and one attractive position leaped out at me. Though I didn’t meet the entire criteria, I clicked apply, and a week later, I was holding the job offer.

Elated, I stepped into the big shoes of my managerial position with a spring in my step. How could I not, when my title and package were so enviable?

Sounds great, right? Not.

At times, things we do out of curiosity and boredom can lead us to paths we’ll regret later on. Here’s why.

No matter how much money you make, if you’d rather be elsewhere, you’re not doing yourself a favor.

We’re not all princesses with a tiara. Most of us have to feed ourselves. But I feel there has to be a balance. As much as I love money, I’m not for crucifying yourself on the money-making cross until your body and happiness dry out.

People have made heaps of cash and bought condos only to jump off the same right to their deaths. Obviously, not all wealthy people succumb to this fate, but this says something.

There has to be more to life than a fat bank account.

But for most people, knowing how much grinding is enough doesn’t come easy. What helped me was putting things into perspective by asking myself:

• How will I feel about my life when I’m fifty? Living to its fullest or merely existing?
• Will I be proud of my current choices? Though no one is entirely certain of the choices they make today, your gut should hint that you’re moving your life upwards rather than stagnating.
• Or will I wish I could get a do-over? The latter is just sad.

I say this because there are a few things I wish I’d done differently in my past. But since the past is cast in stone, it’s pretty much a done deal.

The future, though? We all still have the magic wand to change that. When you feel like you have no choice today, cast your eyes on the future, and you’ll find the answers you’re looking for.

What you sign up for isn’t what you actually do.

(Unless you work for a super organized company, these are few and far between.)

Though I was a manager, I stood at the front desk for eight hours, checking guests in and out and answering phone calls. To me, this was a receptionist’s job.

Not throwing shade at receptionists, but I failed to see a clear distinction of duties.

But I kept going anyway.

Next, I found myself dragging guests’ bags in and out of the storage area. In my last job, this was a No-No for health reasons. My previous employer Emirates Airlines enforced that passengers’ bags were their own responsibilities.

And now here I was, doing the very thing I knew would have a disastrous impact on my back in the future.

They take more time than you’re willing to give.

I don’t know about you, but I value my time dearly. That’s why I don’t make plans with people who can’t keep time. It says a lot about them. Read more here:

If you say my shift ends at 3 Pm, I expect to be at the door at 3 Pm. Now, of course, we live in a real-world where unpredictable things happen; at times, we’re forced to stretch ourselves a bit. And that’s fine.

But when it becomes the norm, there’s a crack in the system. Not once did my shift end at the allocated time, which was not only annoying but also hugely inconveniencing.

Raise your hand if you’re a mom and wife. Aren’t those ten or fifteen minutes so important? This could mean the difference between making it to your kid’s drama practice or not, right?

All those ten, fifteen minutes here and there all add up to hundreds of hours that should be utilized differently. When they said time is money, they knew what they were talking about.

Now you see why I’m over here screaming and chanting, “This ain’t what I signed up for, boo.”

You’ll have to make peace with working with people you don’t like.

As you may have guessed, yours truly got off the corporate job train too soon to have had time to ruffle some feathers.

But, if you hang around the office for a while, you’ll annoy some people. Others will hate you just because they don’t like your name or for whatever reasons. You’ll have to make peace with working with people you don’t like.

That’s the sad reality.

Here’s the thing, though, when you become an adult who values your time, you no longer have time or energy to appease people or force relations.

In fact, the less time you spend in such environments, the better. I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve recently turned 40, but I find that the smaller my circle of friends is, the more enjoyable it is.

So who’s got the time for nasty work colleagues? Not me. And neither do you, darling. There are so many other ways you could utilize your emotional energy.

Lack of freedom = Slavery.

One corner of the building that hosted my workplace faced a lush park. The other faced modern high-rise buildings, clean streets, and only a three-minute walk to the esplanade.

As I watched people stroll and enjoy the fresh air, I felt this blanket of sadness drape over me. I wished I could do the same. And that’s when the penny dropped.

I realized how lucky I’d been to have had freedom, and yet, I’d given it away. For me, the lack of freedom is synonymous with slavery because someone else owns you for the duration of your shift.

Every minute you give to someone else is a minute you could be using on yourself. And it doesn’t matter what you do with it, as long as it’s what you want to do.

The majority of people don’t want to be there. They’re there because they don’t know where else to be.

Given a chance, many people would quit their 9–5, but their circumstances won’t allow it, or they simply haven’t identified what their passions are.

So if you’re blessed to know what you’re gifted in, and most importantly, what makes you happy, why would you give it up?

Look, I know this is easier said than done. Life is much more complex than that because our livelihoods depend on our daily decisions.

But I’ve heard stories of people who followed an inkling of their passions, and boy, did that road lead to good pastures? Sure, others failed, but at least they live with the satisfaction of having given it a go.

Now that I’ve tasted 9–5 again, I have zero desire for that life. Ever. Yes, it’s a guaranteed income. Yes, you can do things on autopilot and still get a paycheck. Yes, you don’t have to make big decisions because there’s always someone you can dump on.

But for me, none of these benefits butter my crumpet.

I hated:

• Constantly apologizing for faults that weren’t mine because I was representing the company.
• Rushing all the time because there was too much that needed to be done in very little time.
• Going home dehydrated.
• Driving to or from work in the dark. I hated rushing past colleagues who were always tired.
• Answering stupid questions like where can I find the nearest laundry mat? Hello… Google, anyone?

My crumpet (my life) is buttered by having control over my time. But if a big title and cash in the bank give you a high, then great. You do, you boo.

What now?

It’s now 10 am. I’m in my bed, sitting in the dark with my laptop and a steaming cup of green tea.

And guess what, there’s a big smile on my face. I may not rake in much dough moving forward, but a warm feeling is bubbling within. I’m doing what I love. What I’ve always loved.

My appreciation for writing has escalated notches high. My sleeves are rolled up. We’re going all in, people.

The point?

If you love your 9–5, great. But if you feel a tugging pulling you in a different direction, it’s worth taking a glimpse that way. Your soul is speaking. Listen.